Stretch Marks: 8 Things You Should Know about Them

Stretch marks on the skin can result from rapid weight gain or growth. Pregnancy, weightlifting, and puberty are the three times when they are most frequently observed.

Stretch marks are not harmful but can be a source of insecurity for some people.

Pregnancy is the most common reason for stretch marks, or "striae," as they are known in the medical community, typically developing on the breasts and belly. 

But did you know typically common stretch marks can affect anyone, even young children?

Learn about stretch marks, their causes, and potential safeguards to remove stretch marks with a laser in Belfast. 

Stretch Marks Can't Be Avoided

It is advised to use a variety of natural remedies to lessen or avoid stretch marks. The marks are scars, so the only real way to prevent them is to avoid making rapid weight gains and losses. 

Researchers have looked into numerous home remedies but have not had much success. The skin can be massaged with almond oil, cocoa butter, olive oil, or vitamin E as common DIY remedies. 

However, some scientists think products made with Centella or the skin acid hyaluronic acid may have advantages.

Stretch Marks Are One Type of Scar

Scars are created when skin is injured and then naturally heals. Stretch marks are a particular kind of scar that appears when your skin stretches or contracts rapidly.

The stretching and contracting degrade the collagen and elastin proteins in your skin. Stretch marks are scars left behind when the skin tries to heal itself. 

Upon touching a stretch mark, you might detect a slight depression. Unlike scars, which form on top of your skin and may feel bumpy, stretch marks are beneath your skin's surface and leave an indentation.

There Are Various Ways Stretch Marks Can Look

Each person's appearance of stretch marks can vary greatly. Stretch marks can appear in clusters or as a single long, thin line depending on the individual. 

Stronger-looking, thicker lines are another possibility. The lines typically start reddish or purple and eventually turn silver or white on people with lighter skin. 

On people with darker skin, stretch marks frequently appear lighter than the surrounding skin tone.

Teenage Growth Spurts Can Result In Stretch Marks

Due to how quickly they grow, children seem to outgrow their clothing weeks after they purchase it. But the fastest and most significant growth spurt after infancy usually starts at puberty. 

These growth spurts can cause stretch marks because the skin stretches out too quickly. The skin may stretch or contract due to rapid weight gain or loss to accommodate the altered shape of the body.

Due to the rapid changes that bodybuilders undergo during and after training, stretch marks may also develop. 

Genetics and skin type are both potential contributors to stretch marks. If your close relatives have stretch marks, you are more likely to get them too.

Pregnancy Is the Most Common Cause of Stretch Marks

Striae gravidarum are pregnancy-related stretch marks. During pregnancy, the skin stretches as your belly expands to make room for the developing foetus.

Additionally, this happens as your breasts prepare to start producing milk. While a woman is pregnant, stretch marks can also develop on her thighs, hips, lower back, and buttocks. 

According to some researchers, hormones that make skin more prone to tearing during pregnancy cause stretch marks.

Prescription Creams Can Cause Stretch Marks

Available over-the-counter, corticosteroid creams and ointments can harm the connective tissue of the skin if used excessively or incorrectly. This causes stretch marks to appear. 

Ask your pharmacist how to properly apply a corticosteroid cream or ointment if you plan to use one. When taken orally for a long time, prednisone and other corticosteroids can have a similar effect.

If you have certain genetic conditions like Cushing's syndrome or Marfan syndrome, you might be more prone to this kind of scarring.

It's Possible to Lessen the Visibility of Stretch Marks

Once they have appeared, stretch marks cannot be completely removed, but there are things you can do to lessen their appearance. 

If stretch marks bother you, speak with your doctor to learn about your options. The first step in treatment is frequently to apply retinol-containing creams. 

This type of cream might help with collagen rebuilding and reduce their appearance (less than a few months old) in the case of stretch marks that are still relatively new.

Cosmetic Stretch Mark Treatments Might Also Be Helpful

In addition to retinoid creams, a dermatologist may perform specific procedures to lessen the prominence of obvious stretch marks. The procedures use laser and light therapies, which may also promote collagen or elastin synthesis. 

A thin layer of skin can be removed using chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and laser therapy to promote the growth of new skin.

Radiofrequency and ultrasound can also be used to remove scar tissue. It might take several appointments and various procedures before you see results.

Conclusion 

It is important to remember that stretch marks are very common, affecting most women at some point in their lives. Several things can help prevent them, including maintaining a healthy weight, using moisturising products, and avoiding sudden weight gain or loss. If you develop stretch marks, there are a number of treatments, such as the removal of stretch marks in Belfast, that can help reduce their appearance.

As Belfast's top skincare clinic, we are experts in thread vein removal, acne treatment, anti-wrinkle injections, laser hair removal, and other skincare procedures. Contact us for removal of stretch marks in Belfast.